Ambulance aggregator app Dial4242 starts operations in Mumbai

Dial4242 will allow users to book the nearest available ambulance and track its location in real-time. It has started operations in Mumbai with over 125 ambulances across the citySupraja Srinivasan | ET Bureau | Updated: May 21, 2017, 23:06 IST

In a first of its kind initiative, Dial4242, an app-based ambulance aggregator platform kickstarted operations in Mumbai, with over 125 ambulances across the city signed up on the platform. The app will allow users to book the nearest available ambulance and track its location in real-time.

Services provided via Dial4242 are not limited to emergency situations and can also be used by patients for check-ups, medical appointments, after a hospital discharge or for inter city travel needs. While the service is available only on the app, the company will also offer a hotline for users, patients and relatives to use the service offline.

Dial4242 has raised its first round of external capital of about Rs 1 crore from an undisclosed individual investor. The company will use the funds for research, product development and operations.

“Today through a couple of simple taps, we can call for anything from food to cabs; however, it’s surprising that people have to go through so many layers of communications for an ambulance. We are attempting to address this need gap with Dial4242,” said Nilesh Mahambre, Chairman and Co-founder of Dial4242.

The technology backed platform which has been in pilot mode for over 4 months has currently tied up with Wockhardt Hospital and is exploring partnerships with other hospitals and medical services entities as part of its service expansion. The company earns works on a commission based model with ambulance partners earning 20% per trip.

Ambulance variants currently available on Dial4242 are Basic, for the transfer of a dead body, for Paediatric cases and ICU/Cardiac. The base price for the variants is Rs 800, Rs 1000, Rs 1200 and Rs 2000 respectively and differ from region to region within the city. Additionally, ambulances can also be booked via the Dial4242 hotline in Mumbai and the details would be sent to the caller via SMS.

The company is in the process of extending its ambulance base from 125 to over 500 across Mumbai by the end of the year end is also looking to expand geographically simultaneously.